Begins Final Phase of Certification Prior To Commercial Service

Joby Aviation announced the successful completion of the first flight test under the Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) involving FAA pilots evaluating human factors elements of flight safety using an FAA-conforming flight deck in a Joby simulator.

TIA testing is considered the final phase of the type certification process that leads to the aircraft beginning commercial passenger service. The FAA pilots conduct the testing to validate the aircraft’s performance and safety in accordance with the previously-approved test plans.

JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and Founder of Joby Aviation said, “This milestone demonstrates Joby’s continued industry leadership and is a reflection of the maturity of our test program and the rigorous company testing we’ve already completed. As well as continuing the ‘for credit’ testing of components, aerostructures and systems that is already underway, we are targeting the start of TIA flight testing in 2025 with our first FAA-conforming aircraft, which is currently being built at our facility in Marina, California.”

The tests are conducted under a set of criteria the FAA specifies in an approved human factors test plan that measures pilot workload under various flight conditions that are expected during actual operations. They also test the physical ergonomics of the flight deck and other human factors aspects of aircraft safety.

During this session, the FAA pilots completed three days of testing. Flight testing under TIA in the actual aircraft is slated for as early as January 2025.

FMI:  www.jobyaviation.com/